Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;Goodhope&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Goodhope’ particularly characterized by flowers which are red/purple with white edges and some white marks and a little yellow/orange in the labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Phalaenopsis hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Goodhope’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceae family, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Goodhope’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceous perennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable for cultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantly epiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the Malay Archipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy, oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodial growth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. The leaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in the horticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for the florist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home or interiorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often with many showy flowers which open in succession beginning with the lowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; the lateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, is three-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flower segments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellow and red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexual propagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots which frequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. The resulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be planted in a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Goodhope’ is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by its attractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissue culture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging and shipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Goodhope’ originated from a cross made by the inventor in 1999 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female or seed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘King Shiang's Rose’, unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Red Charm’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Goodhope’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in 2007 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture was first performed in November, 2007 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Goodhope’, which in combination distinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are red/purple with white edges and some white         marks and a little yellow/orange in the labellum;     -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;     -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using         tissue culture;     -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and     -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.         In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Goodhope’, the         female parent ‘King Shiang's Rose’ has dark pink/red flowers and         the male parent ‘Red Charm’ has red colored flowers, whereas the         flowers of ‘Goodhope’ are red/purple with white edges and some         white marks.         Presently, there is no other commercial cultivar to which         ‘Goodhope’ can be meaningfully compared.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis ‘Goodhope’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘Goodhope’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘Goodhope’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical buds and flowers of ‘Goodhope’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Goodhope’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Goodhope’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Goodhope’ as grown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘Goodhope’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the flowering phase of ‘Goodhope’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Goodhope’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration of growth of ‘Goodhope’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. The age of the ‘Goodhope’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated             ‘King Shiang's Rose’, unpatented.         -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Red             Charm’, unpatented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—tissue culture.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 3 mm-7             mm wide and green in color (RHS 191B); freely branching. It             takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue culture to             initiate roots. -   Plant:     -   -   Size at maturity.—Height: about 62 cm Spread: about 55 cm.         -   Growth habit.—standard; green leaves and a relatively normal             raceme.         -   Vigor.—moderate.         -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks             2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after             a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of             about 19° C. about 2 peduncles with flowers appear. -   Foliage:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6 to 8 leaves are produced before             flowering.         -   Arrangement and attachment.—half up/horizontal and on two             sides.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—oval, the tip blunt and asymmetric.         -   Texture (upper & underside).—smooth and leathery.         -   Pubescence.—3 to 4 pairs of leaves.         -   Mature leaf length.—about 19 to 25 cm.         -   Mature leaf width.—about 7 cm.         -   Mature leaf thickness.—about 1.5 mm.         -   Mature leaf color.—upper side: green (RHS N137A) Under side:             green (RHS 137A).         -   Leaf base.—acute.         -   Margin.—entire.         -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel Color of midvein: upper side:             green (RHS N137A) under side: purple (RHS 137C). -   Raceme:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—about 1 to 2.         -   Number of flowers per raceme.—about 7 to 12.         -   Length.—about 45 to 55 cm.         -   Diameter.—about 4 mm.         -   Strength.—strong.         -   Aspect.—upright.         -   Texture.—glabrous and smooth.         -   Color.—grey/brown (RHS N199A) with grey/green spots (RHS             146A).         -   Internode.—Length: about 40 mm. -   Inflorescence description: -   Appearance: Upright to slightly pendant, racemose inflorescence with     bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open in succession beginning     with the lowermost flower. -   Buds:     -   -   Height (from base to tip).—about 15 mm.         -   Diameter (at midpoint).—about 9 mm.         -   Shape.—egg-shaped.         -   Color.—yellow/green (RHS 146B) and red/purple (RHS 71A). -   Flowering time: For an untreated plant (flowering plant that has not     undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a temperature of     18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after a period of about 30     weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 2 racemes appear with about 16 to     20 flower buds and flowers per inflorescence. First flowers can be     expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a plant with a     leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent. -   Flowering longevity: On the plant: about 4 to 6 months; lastingness     of cut flowers: has not been observed -   Fragrance: No fragrance -   Flower:     -   -   Rate of opening.—Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3 days             after petal and sepal separation.         -   Orientation at opening.—slanted upward and outward.         -   Shape.—see FIG. 2.         -   Size.—Height: about 90 mm Diameter: about 95 mm Depth of             tube: about 10 mm. -   Petals:     -   -   Quantity and arrangement.—six petals that are trimerous,             overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are more             pronounced than sepals.         -   Arrangement.—Inner whorl of petals comprises 3 petals, 2             lateral petals and labellum.         -   2 lateral petals.—Overall shape: broadly ovate and weakly             cupped Apex: oval Margin: entire and weakly undulate Base:             broadly ovate Length: about 50 mm Width: about 45 mm             Texture: Upper surface: smooth and satiny Under surface:             smooth and satiny Color (when fully opened): upper side:             Main color is red/purple (RHS 71A) which runs out into             red/purple (RHS 72A) and purple (RHS 77D). Edges and some             marks are white (RHS NN155B). Under side: white (RHS NN155C)             and purple (RHS 76A) Labellum: Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2             prominent callosities at central junction of the lateral             lobes and base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum             fold upward about the column; the midlobe extends forward             and is terminated by 2 short filiform appendages at the             apex. Lateral lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while             the midlobe is triangular with a bump and a rib on it             Margin: entire and weakly undulate Apex: oval Length: about             25 mm Width (not flattened): about 20 mm Texture: Upper and             under surface: smooth and satiny Color (when fully opened):             Midlobe: upper surface: At the base yellow (RHS 14C) which             runs out into white (RHS 155B). Upper edge a small purple             line and some spots (RHS 71A) From halfway it turns purple             (RHS N78A). Under side: Edges are red/purple (RHS 71A) with             some red/purple spots (RHS 59A). In the center some yellow             (RHS 8B). Further mainly white (RHS 155B) and close to the             chirri purple (RHS 71A). Lateral lobes: upper surface: From             base white (RHS NN155B) and a red/purple mark and some spots             (RHS 59A). On the upper edge purple (RHS 72B) and a little             white (RHS N155C). Lower edge is red/purple (RHS 59A) with             some yellow (RHS 8B). Under side: Upper edge is white (RHS             155C), lower edge red/purple (RHS 59A). From base white (RHS             NN155C) which flows over in purple (RHS 72A). At the lower             edge also some yellow (RHS 8A). Chirri: about 8 mm color:             red/purple (RHS 72A) Pestle (Callosities): Length: about 7             mm Width (not flattened): about 5 mm.         -   Color.—sides yellow/white (RHS 158C) with a purple mark (RHS             77C). Top is yellow (RHS 8A) and inside and front is             red/purple (RHS 59A). -   Sepals:     -   -   Arrangement.—Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals.         -   Overall shape.—elliptical and weakly cupped Margin: entire             and weakly undulate Length: about 41 mm Width: about 30 mm             Apex: dorsal: oval with notch; lateral: oval and little             pointy Texture: Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny             Color (when fully opened): upper surface: Dorsal: At the             base purple (RHS N79C) then red/purple (RHS 72A) which runs             into red/purple (RHS 71A). At the top some white (RHS             NN155C). Lateral: At the base purple (RHS N79A) which runs             into RHS N78A. There are some white marks (RHS NN155B).             Underside: white (RHS NN155B) with purple (RHS 79A). -   Reproductive organs: -   Arrangement: The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a single,     short structure called the column, possessing one terminal anther     with pollen grains united into a pollinia, which are covered by an     anther cap. The stigma is located under the column behind the     pollinia. The ovary is inferior with three carpels present. The     plant has not produced seed. -   Column:     -   -   Length.—about 7 mm.         -   Diameter.—about 5 mm.         -   Color.—purple (RHS N78A and RHS N78C) and some white (RHS             NN155B). -   Pollinia:     -   -   Quantity.—two.         -   Diameter.—about 2 mm.         -   Color.—yellow/orange (RHS 23A). -   Ovary:     -   -   Length.—about 3 mm.         -   Diameter.—about 5 mm.         -   Color.—white (RHS 155C). -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—about 40 mm.         -   Diameter.—about 4 mm.         -   Texture.—glabrous and smooth.         -   Color.—white (RHS N155B) with some purple (RHS N80A), then             yellow/green (RHS 145A) and ends in purple (RHS N79A). -   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.     and to a high temperature about 30° C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Goodhope’, as illustrated and described herein. 